When we started this class we began right after the Civil War had concluded in the United States. Americans already knew what it felt like to fight for their freedoms when their ancestors came to this new nation and established a free country. During the civil war again they were reminded that freedom was something to fight and die for. Those that were not free saw the possibilities out there and knew that they too could fight for this. From the beginning the people that have occupied this nation have fought to be seen and heard as equals. Wars and conflicts have raged about this issue since the beginning and have shaped this nation along the way.
During the reconstruction era amendments were passed to abolish slavery and give voting rights to many of those who had never had them before. While not everyone was free and equal or could partake of these new changes, we can see that America was slowly heading in the right direction. Once African-Americans saw that they too could have a voice and be part of this nation, they never stopped fighting to be equal. Despite the dangers, southern blacks eagerly pursued emancipation. They moved; they married; they attended school; they demanded wages; they refused to work for whites; they gathered together their families; they created black churches and civic associations; they held political meetings. (Hewitt and Lawson, 464)
During the Progressive Period women started to find their voice and fight for equality as well. The government went through a lot of reform and added protections for consumers, congress decided to ban child labor and many women's organizations were started. More equality was obtained for workers with 8 hour work days and overtime. The NAACP was established during the Progressive period as well and they fought to make African-Americans more equal as they still were not considered so. Many other organizations sprung into action to also fight for the rights for different minorities living in this nation. Progressives maintained a passion for change as a means of improving the nation. (Hewitt and Lawson, 637)
A lot more changes for equality came later during the 1960s and 1970s when the civil rights act was passed and the women's movements were in full swing. Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for equal rights for African-Americans up until the day he was assassinated. The work did not stop with his death, it just propelled the cause forward to make sure everyone was seen as equals in this country. The varieties of political protest and cultural dissent emboldened other oppressed groups to emancipate themselves. Women, Latinos, Native Americans, and gay Americans all launched liberation movements. (Hewitt and Lawson, 912)
The fight for equality and freedom really started well before this country was founded. The reason people fled from England and wanted to establish a new free nation was because they didn’t feel free. I believe the need for freedom and to be seen as equals is a human desire that never goes away. Once we awoke that so long ago we have not been able to stop the flood of events that have happened since then and have paved the way for the freedoms we all enjoy today. While there are still many things in this country that do not make us all equals, we know that we will never stop fighting for them to be equal. This ingrained sense of justice and need for equality is what continues to propel organizations and people to fight for those that are still facing discrimination and injustice even today.
Source:
Hewitt, Nancy A., Lawson, Steven F. (2021) Exploring American Histories, Volume 2 Bedford/St. Martin’s
During the reconstruction era amendments were passed to abolish slavery and give voting rights to many of those who had never had them before. While not everyone was free and equal or could partake of these new changes, we can see that America was slowly heading in the right direction. Once African-Americans saw that they too could have a voice and be part of this nation, they never stopped fighting to be equal. Despite the dangers, southern blacks eagerly pursued emancipation. They moved; they married; they attended school; they demanded wages; they refused to work for whites; they gathered together their families; they created black churches and civic associations; they held political meetings. (Hewitt and Lawson, 464)
During the Progressive Period women started to find their voice and fight for equality as well. The government went through a lot of reform and added protections for consumers, congress decided to ban child labor and many women's organizations were started. More equality was obtained for workers with 8 hour work days and overtime. The NAACP was established during the Progressive period as well and they fought to make African-Americans more equal as they still were not considered so. Many other organizations sprung into action to also fight for the rights for different minorities living in this nation. Progressives maintained a passion for change as a means of improving the nation. (Hewitt and Lawson, 637)
A lot more changes for equality came later during the 1960s and 1970s when the civil rights act was passed and the women's movements were in full swing. Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for equal rights for African-Americans up until the day he was assassinated. The work did not stop with his death, it just propelled the cause forward to make sure everyone was seen as equals in this country. The varieties of political protest and cultural dissent emboldened other oppressed groups to emancipate themselves. Women, Latinos, Native Americans, and gay Americans all launched liberation movements. (Hewitt and Lawson, 912)
The fight for equality and freedom really started well before this country was founded. The reason people fled from England and wanted to establish a new free nation was because they didn’t feel free. I believe the need for freedom and to be seen as equals is a human desire that never goes away. Once we awoke that so long ago we have not been able to stop the flood of events that have happened since then and have paved the way for the freedoms we all enjoy today. While there are still many things in this country that do not make us all equals, we know that we will never stop fighting for them to be equal. This ingrained sense of justice and need for equality is what continues to propel organizations and people to fight for those that are still facing discrimination and injustice even today.
Source:
Hewitt, Nancy A., Lawson, Steven F. (2021) Exploring American Histories, Volume 2 Bedford/St. Martin’s
[Paper written for SOC 1020 class UVU Spring 2023]
Amy Brouwer . 2024 . All Right Reserved
